News at SEVEn #3/96
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NEWS at SEVEn
Volume 4 Number 3 August 1996
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Read Me:
Heat-Cost Allocators: Pros and Cons
M=F6venpick Saves Energy
History of Labeling Domestic Electrical Appliances in the Czech
Republic
Easy Connection to SEVEn
Support for Energy Service Companies
What Influences the Price of Heat ?
The Energy Efficiency Business Week '96 Conference and Exhibition
News from the Czech Energy Agency
Energy Planning in Austria
Total Energy Balance and GDP for the Period 1990 - 1995
Power Smart Offers Cooperation
Energy Efficiency Taught in Schools
CZECHOTHERM '96
Company Close Up
Energy Efficiency Events in and about Central and Eastern Europe
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Heat-Cost Allocators: Pros and Cons
At the beginning of the 1990s, in accordance with Decree 186/91, all
buildings heated by district heating were outfitted with heat metering
at the foot of the building and with individual metering of hot-water
consumption in individual apartments. A wide-ranging discussion
developed on the installation of heat-cost allocators in apartments.
One of the primary disadvantages of heat-cost allocators is the fact
that building constructions and central heating do not make it
possible to precisely meter the consumption of heat consumed in a
single apartment. One of the main advantages is the bigger incentive
of consumers to conduct themselves in an economical fashion - the
heating bills will be different for different apartments, and this
will reflect the behavior of tenants to a certain degree.
According to research by SEVEn, there was an average decrease in heat
consumption by 10 to 15% after the installation of heat-cost
allocators. At the same time, heat consumption in otherwise comparable
apartments differed by as much as threefold. As a result, "neighbor
heating," that is, a situation where one apartment heats a neighboring
one that has its heat radiator turned off, thereby also paying for its
heat, became an issue of concern.
In response to this, SEVEn, in cooperation with the Department of
Environmental Engineering at the Czech Technical University's Faculty
of Mechanical Engineering, tested the effect of the following four
factors that most frequently influence heat consumption in apartments:
=B7 overheating the apartment from 20=B0C to 24=B0C
=B7 heating the neighboring apartment (an apartment sharing two-thirds
of one side wall is not heated)
=B7 excessive continuous ventilation (always leaving a ventilation
window open)
=B7 the position of the apartment (comparing the consumption of
an upper-floor corner apartment with that of an apartment
in the middle of the building)
A dynamic simulation on an ESP-r computer model that is used by the
Czech Technical University showed that the effect of one continuously
open ventilation window in the apartment, which is still a common
occurrence in our housing developments, increases heat consumption
(and thereby also the heating bill) by more than 60%. The second most
common factor, overheating the apartment by 4=B0C, increases consumption
by almost 30%. This confirmes the well-known simplified rule that
overheating an apartment by 1=B0C will increase heat consumption by 6%.
According to the more precise dynamic simulation, the increase is even
more than 7%. The effect of the neighboring apartment with its
radiators turned off likewise increases heat consumption and heating
expenses. However, the research showed that the effect of this is only
11% and is thus comparable in scale to the effect of a mistake in
metering. Of all the analyzed factors, the location of the apartment
in the building has the biggest effect on heat consumption. The
upper-floor corner apartment consumes more then twice as much heat as
the apartment in the middle of the building neighboring heated
apartments. However, according to Decree 245/91, the heat billing
method eliminates the effect of the apartment's position by using
correctional coefficients to equalize heating payments in otherwise
similar apartments with similar heating patterns. The results of the
simulation are summarized in the graph.
Data from the graph:
Reference Apartment ................... 100%
Overheating ........................... 129%
Heating Pattern of Neighbor ........... 111%
Continuous Ventilation ................ 162%
Outer Apartment on Upper Floor ........ 217%
The research and calculations showed that the installation of
heat-cost allocators represents an effective means to increase the
incentive of tenants to behave in an economical fashion and makes it
possible to reduce heating expenses without taking away living
comfort. It was even demonstrated that the act of paying heating bills
based on heat-cost allocators further increases the incentive of
tenants, and in the second year after the installation there were even
greater heat savings than in the first year. And this despite the fact
that heat-cost allocation is not entirely precise and by itself it
does not reduce the heat losses of buildings.
It is good to keep in mind that the problem cannot be totally solved
by the installation of heat-cost allocators alone. However, it is a
good way to induce economic behavior and thereby contribute to energy
savings in places where quality heat controls have already been
installed in apartments and where the hydraulic balance of the heating
system has been properly adjusted.
Contact: Tereza Dunovsk=E1, Miroslav Vot=E1pek, Ji=F8=ED Zeman, SEVEn
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M=F6venpick Saves Energy
On Tuesday, 11 June 1996, the hotel group of the Swiss concern
M=F6venpick officially assumed the management of its new 436-room hotel.
The Prague complex is composed of two buildings, one of which is at
the base and the other on the summit of the hill Mr=E1zkova nad
Sm=EDchovem. The 100-meter distance between buildings is bridged by a
funicular railway. The entire project cost 670 million Austrian
shillings.
Examples of energy saving can be found everywhere. When a guest leaves
his or her room, the magnetic card that locks the doors automatically
turns out the lights in the room as well. "The building is interlarded
with electronic technology; the most modern appliances are here,"
stated Mr. J=FCrgen Kazmaier, the general director of the Prague hotel
M=F6venpick. "Energy saving is only one of the aspects of our global
environmental thinking."
"The half of the energy savings are gained through recuperation," said
Ji=F8=ED Balcar from Scheu&Wirt, Prague. On the television monitoring
panel in the control center there was a plan on which sensors noted
the external temperature of 25=B0C and the activity of the rotating
multi-plate ALCO recuperator with an efficiency level of 85-90%.
"In places where it is necessary to proceed differently according to
hygienic norms, for example, in the kitchen, we use a cross
recuperator that conveys heat through walls with 60% efficiency,"
explains Mr. Balcar. "The remaining heat in the food-cooling units is
used again to heat water to 55-60=B0C for kitchen operation and to
43-46=B0C for rooms."
With the help of the recuperator, a constant temperature is maintained
in the above-ground cellars with almost no input. Recuperation also
functions in the winter as heating.
"The firm ALCO GmbH Aerotech supplied the base units. The was
necessary for reasons of timing. Czech firms supplied the remaining
material. It can be said that Czech firms are capable of successfully
competing abroad and that they can provide very good service on
equipment produced by global firms," asserted Mr. Balcar in regard to
the firm which M=F6venpick engaged to maintain the ventilation system in
its newest hotel, which is the biggest in its entire chain and its
first in Central and Eastern Europe.
Contact: Ji=F8=ED Balcar, Scheu & Wirt Prague, Tel.: +42-2-353114
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History of Labeling Domestic Electrical Appliances in the Czech
Republic
Energy labels explicitly indicate the energy consumption of electrical
appliances. They contribute to better energy use by providing
customers with basic information on energy consumption and can thereby
influence their decision-making process in favor of more
energy-efficient appliances. They can also induce the producer to pay
proper attention to the energy efficiency level of his or her
products.
The start of labeling activity in this country dates back to 1992,
when SEVEn bought a sample of nine combined single-circuit compressor
refrigerators of medium size that were commonly available on the
market at that time. SEVEn had them tested at the Technical Testing
Laboratory in Pie=9A=9Dany. The goal was to get the first reliable data on
their energy consumption as a basis for preparing energy labels. The
tested refrigerators with energy labels were then displayed in the
Prague's largest department store Kotva.
In 1993, more activity followed. =C8EZ joined in within the framework of
preparing DSM programs. This time, 14 automatic washing machines were
purchased and the Electrotechnical Testing Laboratory in Prague
executed comprehensive tests on them. On the basis of measured energy
consumption, energy labels were proposed.
Another activity related to labeling was oriented towards electric
water heaters for households. =C8EZ again secured financing for the
activity, and the measuring was carried out at the Technical Testing
Laboratory in Pie=9A=9Dany. The evaluated test results were available in
spring 1996. While preparing the label for boilers, a design valid in
the EU was strictly adhered to in regard to dimensions, colors, and
data structure. As a determining criterion in judging energy
efficiency, a specialist committee comprising representatives from
=C8EZ, Ministry of Industry, SEI, SEVEn, and VUPEK accepted a heat-loss
size for 24 hours computed on the basis of a liter of actual volume.
As additional information, the rated interior capacity, the heating
time, and the electricity consumption in heating the contents from
15=B0C to 65=B0C are given on the labels.
Further tests on so-called "wet appliances," specifically clothing
dryers and dishwashers, followed during the fall of last year. The
reason for choosing these appliances in particular was their
relatively high potential for future sales. All of the above efforts
should culminate in the creation of legislative regulations
establishing the obligation for relevant parties (for example,
domestic suppliers) to specify the energy requirements of their
appliances in a standardized fashion. At the present time, on the
basis of experience gained during the past years and knowledge of
development in the European Union, SEVEn is preparing for the Ministry
of Industry and Trade legislation pertaining to labels in the scope of
the energy-management law under preparation.
The results of tests on individual appliances were published, for
example, in the magazine D-test in July 1993 and May 1994 and in the
form of flyers circulated to =C8EZ information centers.
Contact: Vladim=EDr Proch=E1zka, SEVEn
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Easy Connection to SEVEn
Now you will easily remember our new, simplified Web address:
http://www.ecn.cz/SEVEn
ECN stands for Econnect, our nonprofit Internet provider, and Econnect
stands for Easy Connection. Our e-mail address remains the same:
SEVEn@ecn.cz
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Support for Energy Service Companies
In the second half of November, the first training of selected Czech
companies interested in new methods of doing business in the field of
energy efficiency will take place near Prague. The goal of the
training is to provide interested domestic parties with sufficient,
work-based experience in Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) and to
facilitate the development of business activity in the field of energy
services. The week-long course is being arranged in the framework of
the PHARE program by the firm PEL (Great Britain), in cooperation with
AF Energikonsult (Sweden), SEVEn, and other domestic experts. After
completing the course, the trained domestic firms will be capable of
concluding their first energy performance contracts. The basis of EPC
is to offer complete service packages to reduce energy consumption.
These packages include the installation of equipment, financing, and
servicing. The customer repays the project expenses from actual saved
energy costs. The course is intended for firms that have experience
with energy audits, concluding standard supply contracts, and project
financing. A necessary condition for taking part in the training will
be the serious intention of the firm to expand its business activities
to the energy service field through EPC.
For further information on training, please contact:
Miroslav Vot=E1pek, SEVEn, tel: +42-2-2424 7552
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What Influences the Price of Heat ?
State subsidies for constructing heat-generating plants and their
distribution systems reduce the price of heat, though to a lesser
degree than at first appears. A poorly made feasibility study that
overestimates actual heat consumption can have an opposite - and
significant - effect on increasing the actual price of heat in
relation to the forecast one.
State support for building and reconstructing district heating
systems covering 80% of total investment costs (comprising a 40%
subsidy on investment and a 40% interest-free loan) will reduce the
price of heat for consumers by less than one-fourth.
However, the quality of the heat-consumption analysis can have a much
bigger effect on the actual price of heat than state subsidies. In the
analyzed case, because of an overestimation of heat consumption, the
price of heat will increase by almost one-half over the planned price!
This augmentation was caused by the fact that in reality less heat
will be sold than was planned.
Effect of Subsidies and Poor Demand Analyses on the Price of Heat
State support (40% subsidies, 40% interest-free loans) can
reduce the heat price=
by - 23%
Overestimating heat sales can increase the heat price by + 45%
Heat consumption was originally calculated on the basis of fuel
consumed and the optimal efficiency level of boilers; this, however,
did not reflect the actual technical state of the equipment and their
mode of operation. Heat consumption was thus overestimated by 50%.
These data come from an economic analysis of an actual heat-supply
project carried out by SEVEn in an unnamed Czech town in 1996; the
data do not represent a statistical average.
Contact: Ji=F8=ED Zeman, SEVEn
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The Energy Efficiency Business Week '96 Conference and Exhibition
SEVEn is already organizing the fifth international conference and
exhibition Energy Efficiency Business Week in the Prague Congress
Center, to take place 5-7 November 1996. During the period of its
existence, the conference has become a traditional place for learning
new information, making contacts, and meeting specialists in the field
of energy efficiency. Last year, more than three hundred experts from
a wide range of domestic and foreign producers of energy-efficient
equipment, engineering and consulting firms, energy producers and
consumers, financial institutes, and representatives of municipalities
and state administration took part in the conference. In the
accompanying exhibition, more than 40 domestic and foreign exhibitors
showed their energy efficiency products and services.
This year, for its fifth anniversary, the conference will focus on
energy savings in residential and office buildings and on the
philosophy of and comprehensive approach to energy efficiency as an
indispensable part of sustainable development. Other sections will be
oriented towards financing energy-saving projects, demand-side
management programs in the transforming energy market, energy savings
in industry, and the activities of governmental energy agencies. A
special block of lectures will be devoted to experiences with design
and operation of low-energy buildings. Linked to this will be an
excursion to Czech and German low-energy buildings organized by the
League of Energy Alternatives.
We expect that the high point of the conference will be a discussion
section on the philosophical aspects of energy savings and their
relation to sustainable development. In this section, in which several
intellectual leaders in the field of energy efficiency from Europe and
around the world will take part, the current position of energy
efficiency in regard to ethics and economics will be discussed, giving
special consideration to future developments. Among those who have
tentatively agreed to attend are Dr. Ernst U. von Weiz=E4cker from the
German Wuppertal Institute, Professor N. I. Meyer from Denmark, Mr.
Lee Shipper from the International Energy Agency, and others.
Energy Efficiency Business Week '96 will not leave out the general
public. This year, in addition to the already traditional exposition,
where dozens of firms present their activities every year, and other
popular activities, such as advisory services and videoprojections and
films on energy-efficiency- -related themes, the organizers will set
up an independent section accessible by the general public. This will
be dedicated to the daily life of people in relation to energy
savings, various kinds of incentives to live in an energy-efficient
manner, and its overall contributions to the quality of life.
Those interested in participating in the conference and exhibition may
already register at SEVEn.
Contact: Martin Da=9Aek, SEVEn, tel: +42-2-2-2424 7552, fax: +42-2-2424
7597
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News from the Czech Energy Agency
Interest in Programs
The mission of the Czech Energy Agency (CEA), which works under the
auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Trade CR, is to assist in the
implementation of state energy policies and to support measures
directed at energy efficiency.
The last issue of News at SEVEn (number 2/96) contained information on
programs announced by the CEA for 1996. The total amount of state
subsidies dedicated to support energy-saving programs this year is CZK
200 million; an applicant may receive up to 40% of the project
expenses, and a single project may only receive a maximum of between
CZK 3 and 5 million, according to its type. However, support is
conditional upon high energy savings of between 45-50% of original
consumption.
Despite this strict demand, interest in state subsidies is large. To
give just one example, the agency received over 200 applications for
support within the framework of Program V (greater use of renewable
and non-traditional sources of energy). In this case, applicants would
like to install CZK 2 billion worth of equipment, for which they are
asking for CZK 300 million in state subsidies. However, only CZK 30
million were allotted to this Program V.
Energy Consulting and Information Centers
Program VIII concerns advisory services, promotion, education, and
training in the field of energy efficiency for specialists as well as
for the general public. These services are primarily provided through
Energy Consulting and Information Centers (ECIC, EKIS in Czech), where
interested parties may gain up-to-date information in a given field
free of charge.
This year, there were 83 applications for state support in the
framework of Program VIII. From these an evaluation committee chose a
total of 41 organizations, with which contracts have been concluded to
set up the information centers. The EKIS centers will offer
consultations in the following areas:
=B7 heat sources, including alternative ones
=B7 distribution of heat including heat exchange stations, hydraulic
balancing of heating systems, metering and controls for heat and
domestic hot water
=B7 energy management in buildings, weatherization technologies
=B7 energy policy and legislation, prices, and taxes
=B7 industrial energy management
The activities of individual centers often concern more than one of
the given areas. A detailed directory of the EKIS centers is available
from the CEA, which will send it out upon request. Most of the
consulting and information centers are located in Prague (15), and in
Southern (8) and Northern Moravia (5). In each of other regions,
there are 2 to 3 EKIS centers.
New Negawatt Bulletin
In September of this year, the CEA will start publishing a new
bulletin entitled NEGAWATT. Parties interested in receiving this
bulletin (in Czech) free of charge may apply directly to the agency.
Contact: Czech Energy Agency, Politick=FDch v=ECzn=F9 13, 110 00 Praha 1
Press Spokesperson: RNDr. Dagmar J=E1=F2ov=E1 tel.: +42-2-2421 3695, 2421
5425 (extension 253), tel. and fax: +42-2-2421 4441
- cea/dj -
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Energy Planning in Austria
Graz ranks among the foremost Austrian towns from the perspective of
environmental protection. The new, recently finished municipal energy
plan continues in this vein. The plan contains a proposal for concrete
measures to realize established goals and to implement pilot projects.
In creating an energy plan, the town set the following target goals
for the year 2010 (in relation to 1987):
=B7 to reduce CO2 emissions by 50%
=B7 to reduce NOx, SO2, CxHy, CO, and dust emissions by at least 60%
=B7 to increase the proportion of renewable energy sources by 40%
=B7 to reduce the consumption of electric energy by 18%
One copy of the energy plan for Graz (in German) is available at
SEVEn's office. Additional copies are available at the Graz
municipality.
Contact: Karl Heinz Lesch, Air-Quality Protection Department,
Graz Municipal Authorities, tel.: +43-316-97 26 58, 872-4300,
fax: +43-316-872-4309
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Total Energy Balance and GDP for the Period 1990 - 1995
Indicator (PJ) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Natural Domestic
Sources of Energy 1730 1627 1501 1480 1378 1303
Energy Import 592 613 558 606 656 635
Energy Export 159 153 172 342 357 254
Gross Consumption
of Prim. En. Sources 2163 2087 1887 1744 1677 1684
Total End Consumption 1303 1278 1180 1135 1087 1096
Gross Domestic Product (bil. CZK)
(in 1984 prices) 504 432 404 401 411 431
Structure of End Energy Consumption, 1995
Industry 45%
Households 24%
Commerce and Services 14%
Transportation 12%
Agriculture 3%
Construction 2%
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Power Smart Offers Cooperation
The idea to save energy is truly an international concept. Therefore,
any firm in Central Europe may become a member of the international
association Power Smart, Inc., which deals with marketing in the field
of energy efficiency and strives to be a leader in the field. Members
of the association may utilize the know-how and information
concentrated in the organziation, and to use the name and logo
"Made-in-Canada Power Smart" to label their energy efficiency
programs.
The association was founded by the Canadian power companies BC Hydro,
Ontario Hydro, TransAlta Enterprises, Manitoba Hydro, Nova Scotia
Power, and Newfoundland Power. Thirty energy utilitities and state
agencies from around the world are members of the association. In
addition to Canadian firms, there are representatives from the USA,
the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil, the Slovak Republic, and the Czech
Republic.
In the Czech Republic, =C8EZ power utility and Northmoravian district
heating utility (Moravskoslezsk=E9 tepl=E1rny) have already become
members. Jaroslav Veselsk=FD, director of Moravskoslezsk=E9 tepl=E1rny,
stated, "We want to produce and supply heat and electric energy
cheaply and efficiently. We are convinced that adopting the philosophy
and experiences of the Power Smart association can help to not only
form an idea about the development of the enterprise, but will also
support the dissemination of information on the advantages of energy
saving."
Contact: Coleen Brennan, tel. +1-604-688-4637, e-mail:
cmb@cyberstore.ca
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Energy Efficiency Taught in Schools
More than two thousand schools and other institutions in the Czech
Republic are making use of the =C8EZ educational program entitled
"Energy for Everyone," as Milan K=E1=F2a, the press spokesperson for the
company, stated recently. In the scope of this program are included
several independent comprehensive projects.
One of these is "The First Czech Picture Encyclopedia of Energy,"
which will have 35 volumes in notebook format. It was written
exclusively by Czech authors and covers classic and nuclear energy,
alternative energy sources, electricity and magnetism, the history of
energy, and also energy conservation.
Another project is instructional material dedicated to energy
efficiency, waste treatment, and environmental improvement. The
project, entitled "Three Steps to Life," is the result of cooperation
between =C8EZ and TEREZA, the Association for Environmental Education.
As part of this program, =C8EZ offers schools excursions to various
branches, especially to power plants and other energy facilities.
Contact: =C8EZ, department of public relations, tel.: +42-2-2408 2761
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CZECHOTHERM '96
From 19 to 22 June 1996, the second annual international exhibition
CZECHOTHERM took place at the Park Centrum exhibition center in =C8esk=E9
Bud=ECjovice. The exhibition was oriented towards HVAC, sanitary
facilities, and controls.
160 firms took part in the exhibition, using an area of more than
2,800 m2. The exhibition covered heating systems for industrial
spaces, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, heat-exchange
devices, and other equipment.
While issues related to energy efficiency appeared almost at all
exhibits in various forms, a special focuse on energy efficiency was
at stands displaying walls and pipe heat insulation.
In relation to the increase in construction activity in the Czech
Republic, which experienced 8% growth this year after dropping off at
the beginning of 1990 and which is expected to see similar growth this
year, it can be anticipated that there will be an increase in orders
to technically outfit buildings.
Because of its broad scope, CZECHOTHERM has become the biggest
exhibition of its kind outside of Prague. The third annual CZECHOTHERM
will again take place in the =C8esk=E9 Bud=ECjovice exhibition area, this
time from 18 to 21 June 1997.
Contact: Petr M=E1dr, Spole=E8nost pro techniku prost=F8ed=ED,
tel.: +42-2-2108 2353
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